Texas Woman to Serve Four Years for Child Sex Trafficking

Posted By
Scott H. Palmer, P.C.

A Texas woman will spend four years in federal prison followed by three
years of supervised release for her alleged role in an a sex trafficking
ring that brought underage girls to Central Texas to work as prostitutes.
The woman was also ordered to pay a $100 court assessment in addition
to $1,000 fine. Another suspect, purported to be the suspect's accomplice,
has pleaded guilty to similar
sex crimes but has yet to face sentencing.

According to federal criminal complaints, the woman recruited prostitutes
and then submitted their images to a website that advertised prostitutes
in her Central Texas community. Police say they became aware of the operation
after a woman contacted officers to inform them that her runaway daughter
was likely staying in the area and may have been tricked into prostitution.

Federal agents reportedly found evidence that at least three underage girls
had been brought to the area to work as prostitutes, prompting them to
launch a comprehensive investigation into the reported sex trafficking
operation. The investigators say they linked the two suspects to the operation
after allegedly finding that the suspects took inappropriate and explicit
photographs on the woman's phone, later attaching them to text messages
and sending them to the man's phone. Those images were eventually
submitted to a website where they were used to advertise area prostitutes.

As of 2011, Texas has considered sex trafficking involving children a first-degree
felony. In some instances, those found guilty of this offense may be sentenced
to life in prison and ordered to pay up to $10,000 in fines. Furthermore,
convicted sex traffickers must register with the Texas Sex Offender registry.
Penalties become even more severe for repeat offenders. Individuals accused
of sex trafficking or any other sex crime in Texas should contact a qualified
criminal defense attorney to ensure the best possible chance of avoiding
such harsh sentences.

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*Scott Palmer is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of
Legal Specialization (2005 to present), David P. Housel, Jr. is Board
Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2004
to present).